Magnetic closure and switch for doors and similar devices



96 B. JEAN- JACQUES CANCEILL 3,426,166

MAGNETIC CLOSURE AND SWITCH FOR DOORS AND SIMILAR DEVICES Filed June 9, 19 66 Inventor BEE/V4190 JEAN JACQUES CA/VC'E/LL A ttom ey United States Patent 3,426,166 MAGNETIC CLOSURE AND SWITCH FOR DOORS AND SIMILAR DEVICES Bernard J ean-Jacques Canceill, Paris, France, assignor to International Standard Electric Corporation, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 9, 1966, Ser. No. 556,483 US. Cl. 20061.62 Int. Cl. H01j 36/00 1 Claim ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention concerns contact devices used to close an electrical circuit when a door or any other item of equipment is opened. It concerns, for example, illumination of a bulb to light the interior of a piece of furniture, or a car, etc., when the door is opened. Former practice was to use a spring-equipped contact button, which is a device wherein a faulty contact may take place due to oxidation of the contact point, weakening of the spring, etc. The purpose of the invention is to offer a contact device, the operation of which is much more reliable.

In accordance with the invention, a relay with magnetic reeds sealed in a tube is mounted on the magnetic mount of a magnet designed for closing a door, in such a manner as to be switched on when, the door being opened, the magnetic circuit of the magnet is opened, and to .open when, the door being closed, the magnetic circuit is closed through the armature mounted on the door.

In accordance with one of the features of the invention, preferably, a current model relay used, particularly, in telephone switching and a current model closing magnet, particularly for household furniture are provided. The discovery has been made, in accordance with the invention, that this model of relay is well adaptable to this model of magnet both where dimensions and where magnetic force are concerned. In accordance with a feature of the invention, the assembly can be completed by a magnetic shunt so as to prevent the relay from remaining closed by the flux loss when the armature is in contact position with the magnet.

Numerous methods of controlling a magnetic reed relay through the movement of a magnet and numerous uses for this control method are known. However, in these known devices the relay was closed by approaching the magnet. In the device covered by the invention, the relay and the magnet form a fixed assembly and the relay is controlled through movement of the armature. In other words, in devices known up to now, the relay was closed by approaching a part whereas, in the case of the device covered by the invention, the relay is closed by separating a part. Furthermore, the device covered by the invention, completely retains its properties as a Patented Feb. 4, 1969 "ice magnetically closing device, such as, for example, in the case of furniture doors. The relay functions with a flux loss which is lost without being of any use in the closing operation.

The reliable operation of the device covered by the invention makes it possible to apply it to various safety circuits: elevator door control, control of doors and windows of private or business premises, control of indicator lights in hotels, shops, etc. The low price of its essential components; the relay and the closing magnet, makes it possible to use it in all cases, and in any quantity.

The invention will be described in greater detail with reference to practical examples shown on the attached drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the longitudinal section of a first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a plane view of this alternative; and

FIGS. 3 and 4 also, show a second embodiment.

The device shown on FIG. 1 includes a magnetic closure, part of which consists of the U-shaped magnet 1 embedded in a moulded mount 2, whereas the other part consists of a plate 3 mounted free in a moulded mount 4. The magnet is retained, generally, on a door frame section 12 and the plate on a door 11. Mount 2 is equipped with an insert 5, in which a magnetic reed relay 6 is fitted. When the door is not closed, so that plate 3 is separated from magnet 1, the rear flux loss of the latter induces attraction between the magnetic reeds of the relay, and thus closes the contact in the circuit of wires 7 coupled to an electrical apparatus 8. This apparatus can be a lighting bulb, a remote indicator light, an alarm device, etc. It can be supplied from a battery, a conventional wall outlet, or other suitable source. When the door is closed, the magnet circuit is closed by plate 3 contacting legs 13 and 14 of magnet 1 protrudin from mount 2 and the flux loss is greatly weakened. In practice, this flux loss may still be of sufficient value for retaining the relay reeds blocked; hence, in order to assure opening of the contact there is provided a magnetic shunt 9 between the magnet and the relay.

In the alternative arrangement in FIG. 3, mount 2 is a model usually used in magnetic closing devices. Relay 6 is held by a clip 10 which is tightened between the mount 2 and the door frame. For example, this clip is provided with holes as is mount 2, for the passage of ordinary retention screws. It is well understood that other alternatives are possible within the limits of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic closure and switch comprising: first and second members, said first member being movable to and from said second member; a permanent magnet mounted on one of said members and having an exposed portion, said permanent magnet being U-shaped, the legs of said U-shaped permanent magnet providing said exposed portion thereof; a magnet keeper element mounted on the other of said members and having an exposed face positioned to contact said exposed portion of said permanent magnet when said members are moved into close proximity to each other, said keeper element being attracted by said magnet when said members are in close proximity to complete a magnetic circuit therethrough that results in a force sufficient to hold said members together, said keeper element being in the form of a plate which contacts the legs of said magnet when the magnetic circuit is closed, said plate being positioned 3 4 outside of said U-shaped area when said magnetic cir- 3,012,116 12/1961 Boylan et a1. 335205 cuit is not closed; a normally open switch formed of a 3,161,742 12/1964 Bagno 20061.62 X magnetic reed relay mounted on one of said members 3,164,696 1/1965 Pusch 335-205 X within the magnetic field of said magnet but remote from 3,187,127 6/ 1965 Hess 335-205 X said exposed portion thereof, said magnetic reed relay 5 2,909,384 10/1959 Saxton 335-285 arranged to close by flux leakage from said magnet when 3,022,398 2/ 1962 Abel 335-153 said keeper element is positioned such that said magnetic circuit is open, said flux leakage being insufiicient to BERNARD GILHEANY, Primary Examiner.

close said relay when said magnetic circuit is closed. HAROLD BROOME, Assistant Examiner References Cited 10 Us C1 XR' UNITED STATES PATENTS 335205 2,924,682 2/1960 Winterburn 335-274 

